Warriors Over Knights

2008-06-21

In a battle of the undefeated, the New Haven Warriors got the better of the New York Knights in the second half to win 38-4 under lights at the ‘Castle’ Friday night in New York City.

The win firmed up the Warriors’ place at the top of the standings in Week Three of the American National Rugby League competition.

In a tight first forty, the score was 6-4 in favor of the visitors from Connecticut, but they cut loose in the second frame to win going away. The Warriors earned another valuable bonus point, their third from as many games.

New Haven enjoyed a glut of possession in the first period, but their advantage was countered by too much dropped ball. However, they rectified the situation in the second half, particularly the halfback five-eighth combination of Luke Carr and Siose Muliumu, who between them put six tries on the board.

Carr and Muliumu played together for five seasons with the Wentworth rugby league club in Sydney, Australia in the Jim Beam Cup competition and their understanding showed. Also getting on the score sheet were Salesi Tongamoa and Keith Nelson. Carr had an excellent night with the boot going 5/8.

“It was a very physical game,” New Haven player/coach Matt Doeg told ARN. “We put a bit of pressure on ourselves in the first half, but in the second we got it together. They were tough opposition at home and were pretty good.”

The Knights were without the services of several of their key players. Beaudie Cullen was their lone try-scorer.

“They’re probably the team to beat this season,” added New York Knights CEO Bob Balachandran. “The problem with this team is you have to get them on their heels otherwise if they smell blood they’ll put you away.”

The result saw New Haven improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Knights dropped to 2-1.